What Is Your Health Confidence Rating?

Patients who are confident in their ability to manage their health problems take an active role in decision-making, have better health outcomes and healthcare experiences.

This type of "patient engagement has been rightfully likened to a blockbuster drug for successful management of chronic conditions and the reduction of health risks," say Drs. John Wasson and Eric J. Coleman in their recent article published in Family Practice Management.

If your rating in the above chart is low, you are not alone. Many of us lack the confidence we need to manage our health. Changing unhealthy behaviors—like not exercising, overeating, smoking, drinking too much and abusing drugs—can often seem especially difficult.

Dr. Wasson, who is an emeritus professor of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, and colleagues have developed a website HealthConfidence.org that helps break seemingly big problems into small doable actions. Based on 20 years of testing and refinement, the confidential, free and easy-to-use site offers assessments, personalized health plans, information and tools to help you find practical solutions to the problems that matter most to you.

Take a look and find out how small successes can build confidence and lead to better health.

The site is designed to support not replace your relationship with your physician. Depending on the nature of your health issues, you may want to use this resource in preparation for creating a personalized plan with your healthcare provider.